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David Frederick Sr. was born on April 4, 1801 in Rockland Township, Berks County, PA, the son of George "Adam" and Sarah (Meinder) Friedrich.

He married Rebecca Margaretha "Margaret" Mest (1803-1880), daughter of George Heinrich and Eva Catharina (Mayer) Mest.

Their five known children were Esther Romig, Rebecca Hilbert, David Frederick Jr., Reuben Frederick and Joseph M. Frederick, born between 1828 and 1843. 

The Fredericks were farmers made their home next to David's parents in Rockland Township. In 1850, the U.S. census shows that David had an estate valued at $4,000. By 1860, David had become an inn keeper in District Township, with son David Jr. laboring as a carpenter.

David died on Feb. 23, 1866 in Berks County. Burial was in the New Jerusalem Church in Rockland Township. [Find-a-Grave]

Rebecca outlived him by 14 years. She died on Aug. 8, 1880.

~ Daughter Esther (Frederick) Romig ~

Daughter Esther Frederick (1826-1870) was born on April 11, 1827.

At the age of 23, in 1850, she was unmarried and lived at home with her parents.

Eventually Esther wedded farmer John R. "J.R." Romig (1824-1872), son of John and Maria (Rohrbach) Romig of Berks County.

The known children born to this union were David Alfred Romig, John H. Romig, Rebecca Moyer, Cassy Ann Romig, Joseph Romig, Esther Romig and Moses Romig.

The couple dwelled in Longswamp Township, Berks County, as shown in the federal census enumeration of 1860. Grief blanketed the family in 1862 when son Joseph passed away at the age of seven months and nine days.

Esther died on Jan. 28, 1870 at the age of 43. Burial was in Huff's Church Cemetery. Her grave marker was inscribed in the German language. [Find-a-Grave]

The 1870 United States Census shows the 46-year-old widower John heading a farmer's household in Longswamp Township.

John only outlived his bride by two years. He joined her in death in 1872.

Son David Alfred Romig (1852-1927) was born on April 4, 1852 (or Oct. 1851) in Berks County. He appears to have married twice. His first bride was Eliza Ann "Lizy" Smith (Jan. 6, 1855-1893), daughter of Jacob and Sarah Anna (Liess) Schmidt/Smith. Eliza Ann could neither read nor write. The federal census enumeration of 1880 shows the Romigs in Rockland Township, Berks County, with David working as a laborer. Their known children were Elizabeth "Lizzie" Miller, Sarah H. Romig, Calvin Romig, Mary Anna Keiser Fenstermacher and Albert S. Romig. David learned the carpentry trade and was employed in the shops of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad. He remained with the company until his retirement. Circa 1883, at the birth of their daughter Mary Anna, the family was in Bechtelsville, Berks County. Grief swept over the family when Eliza Ann passed away at the age of 38 on Aug. 28, 1893. Burial of the remains was in the Union Cemetery of Bowers, Berks County. David remained a widow for seven years and dwelled at 823 Mulberry Street. During those year of mourning, Hannah (Hilbert) Fenstermacher (Feb. 25, 1854-1923) moved into his home and functioned as a housekeeper. David and Hannah decided to marry, and did so on July 28, 1900, when he was age 48 and she 46. In covering the wedding, the Reading Times reported that the ceremony was held in the residence of Rev. J.P. Stein and that the "bride wore a lavender dress." Hannah was the daughter of Abraham and Christine (Yoder) Hilbert and widow of Alfred Fenstermacher. Offspring from the first marriage who thus became David's stepchildren were Irvin Hilbert Fenstermacher, Catherine E. "Katie" Wise Gauker, Solon Fenstermacher and Irvin Fenstermacher. David was a member of St. Thomas Reformed Church and the International Order of Odd Fellows. The couple's address in the early 1920s remained 826 Mulberry Street in Reading. Sadly, Hannah contracted pneumonia and died after several days on Dec. 12, 1923, at the age of 69. Her remains were lowered into eternal sleep in Charles Evans Cemetery in Reading. The widowed David suffered during the last five years of his life from hardening of the arteries, a benign tumor in his prostate and increasing failure of the kidneys. As his health declined, he was admitted to St. Joseph Hospital in Reading, where he underwent a clinical operation. There, death carried him away on May 3, 1927. Burial was with his first wife in Bowers Cemetery, with son Albert Romig signing the official Pennsylvania certificate of death. An obituary was printed in the Reading Times.

• Granddaughter Elizabeth "Lizzie" Romig (1876-1916) was born two days after Christmas in 1876. She married George I. Miller (Oct. 24, 1874-1939). The five known sons born to this union were George H. Miller, Jacob D. Miller, Alfred R. Miller, Howard E. Miller and Lloyd E. Miller. They belonged to the Alsace Lutheran Church. The couple's address in the mid-1910s was 532 West 13th Street in Reading. As she neared her 40th birthday, Elizabeth began to suffer from an acute enlargement of the heart. The affliction grew worse, and her heart failed entirely just two days after the milestone birthday on Dec. 29, 1916. The burial ceremony was held at Alsace Lutheran Church Cemetery in Reading, and an obituary appeared in the Reading Times. George survived his wife by 23 years. He died at the age of 65 on Nov. 5, 1939.

• Granddaughter Sarah H. Romig (1879- ? ) was born in about 1879. She was deceased by 1927.

• Grandson Calvin Romig (1880- ? ) was born in April 1880 in Berks County. Unmarried at the age of 20, in 1900, he lived at home with his father and stepmother and, following his father's trade, worked as a carpenter. He was deceased by 1927.

• Granddaughter Mary Anna Romig (1883-1969) was born on Oct. 23, 1883 in Bechtelsville/Bowers Station, Berks County. At the age of 25 days, on Nov. 17, 1883, she received the rite of Christian baptism at Trinity Lutheran Church of Springfield, Bucks County, PA. She was 10 years old when her mother died. She is believed to have been twice-wed. On Oct. 27, 1899, at the age of 16, she married her first spouse, George L. Keiser ( ? - ? ) of 430 Minor Street. Rev. F.K. Huntzinger officiated, and news of the wedding was printed in the Reading Times. They remained together until April 14, 1914, when they separated, George making the charge that she had been "intimate with another man," said the Times. He went to live on Robeson Street in Reading, and she at 610 Birch Street. Mary Anna's story became even more complicated when, in 1918, still married to Keiser, she became pregnant with her 45-year-old step-brother, Irvin/Irwin Hilbert Fenstermacher (Aug. 11, 1873-1931). Adding to the heartache, the baby arrived stillborn on Jan. 24, 1919, and never received a name, with interment in Aulenbach's Cemetery. Keiser filed for divorce in April 1921. In time, once the divorce was granted, she was joined in the bonds of marriage with Fenstermacher. He also had been wed previously on June 2, 1900 to Mary A. Engle ( ? - ? ), with the couple separating on Jan. 21, 1904 and divorcing circa 1910. Following their marriage, Mary Anna and Irvin bore a daughter of their own, Edythe M. Wood. Irvin supported the family over the years through his work as a salesman. His address in the early 1930s was 610 Birch Street in Reading. But the Grim Reaper of Death came to call in early September 1931, when Irvin was felled by a stroke, bleeding on the brain and decease three days later on Sept. 7, 1931. His remains were placed into eternal repose in Charles Evans Cemetery in Reading. Mary Anna outlived her spouse by a remarkable 38 years. Her final home was in Birdsboro, Berks County. Mary Anna died at age 85, in Reading, on Jan. 22, 1969. Interment was in Union Cemetery of Bowers. Daughter Edythe, of Reading, signed the death certificate.

• Grandson Albert S. Romig ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). He lived in Reading in 1917 and was known to be alive in 1927. Nothing more is known.

Son John H. Romig (1854-1929) was born on June 11, 1854 in Longswamp Township, Berks County. He was united in marriage with Hannah Louvesia "Louisa" Reinert (Feb. 2, 1851-1933), a native of Lyons, PA and the daughter of John and Rebecca (Johnson) Reinert. The couple produced these known offspring -- Alice Lessig, Calvin S. Romig, Laura Fegely, John Frederick Romig and Elda Grim. John labored as a stone mason in Longswamp in 1880, as shown by census records. They resided circa 1909 in Lyons, Maxatawny Township, Berks County. John made a living over the years as a plasterer and cement contractor. In about 1915, he became proprietor of a restaurant in Lyons, where he spent the remaining dozen years of his life. The Romigs were members of the Lutheran congregation of the church in Bowers. Sadly, John was burdened with heart valve disease and died at home from sudden "apoplexy of heart" at the age of 74 on March 2, 1929. His obituary was printed in the Reading Times. Burial of the remains was in Lyons Cemetery. Hannah lived for another four years and moved in with her married son Calvin in Downingtown. For the last 13 months and 15 days, reported the Allentown Morning Call, she was bedfast. She succumbed to death at the age of 82 on June 15, 1933. She was survived by a dozen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held in her son Calvin's home followed by additional services at Bowers Lutheran Church. Interment of the remains was in Lyons Cemetery.

• Granddaughter Alice Romig ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She was wedded to James H. Lessig ( ? - ? ). The couple put down roots in Topton, Berks County.

• Grandson Calvin S. "C.S." Romig (1879- ? ) was born on April 9, 1879 in or around Longswamp Township, Berks County. He was tall and of medium build, with blue eyes and dark brown hair. Calvin obtained employment as a postal mail agent as a young man circa 1900. He was transferred to a postal facility in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, PA circa 1909 and was a longtime worker for the Pennsylvania Railroad's Railway Mail Service. During World War I, he was required to register for the military draft. Calvin eventually relocated to Downingtown, Chester County PA, where he lived for decades and signed his father's death certificate in 1929. Calvin married Mary G. Trexler (1879-1964), daughter of Charles L. and Leanda Trexler. The couple's two offspring were Robert T. Romig and Anna Leanda Scott. In addition to his postal duties, Calvin was a longtime fruit grower and founded Romig Orchards in 1912 in West Bradford, Chester County. They were members of Messiah Lutheran Church of Downingtown, and their address was 1309 Romig Road. Toward the end, Calvin was admitted to Brandywine Springs Nursing Home in Wilmington, DE. There, he died at the age of 92 on Sept. 17, 1971. His remains were interred in Lyons Cemetery in Maxatawny, Berks County, with Rev. R. William Phillips leading the funeral service..

• Granddaughter Laura A. Romig (1885- ? ) was born on Sept. 3, 1885 in Lyons, Berks County. As a young woman, she worked as a factory hand in Lyons. On New Year's Eve 1910, in Schuylkill County, PA, the 25-year-old Laura wedded 22-year-old Earl K. Fegely (June 12, 1888- ? ), a native of Lyons, Berks County. Rev. J.H. Umberken [sp?] officiated at the wedding. Earl haid grey eyes and brown hair and was of medium height and build. He made his occupation as a storekeeper in Cressona, Schuylkill County, PA, employed by the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company. When required to register for the military draft during World War I, Earl stated to a government official that he requested an exemption because Army service would lead to "no support for dependent family" and that he was "conscientiously opposed to war." The Fegelys remained in Cressona at least until 1929. They are known to have produced at least one son, Harold R. Fegley. At the death of Laura's brother Calvin in 1971, she was still living in Cressona.

• Grandson John Frederick Romig (1889-1970) was born on April 16, 1889 in Hemingsville, Berks County and grew up as a farmer. He was tall and of medium build, with brown hair and grey eyes. He relocated to a farm near Downingtown, Chester County, PA and was there in 1912-1917. He was required to register for the military draft during World War I. At the age of 36, in 1925, he was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Norma A. Pyott (1892-1937), a native of Warwick, Lancaster County, PA. Sadly, Norma died in 1937, after just a dozen years of marriage. The cause of her passing is not known. John outlived her by 33 years. Circa June 1940, he and his brother Calvin owned an orchard near Downington and, to scare away birds, did away with their traditional scarecrow and began using radio music "in a storage house and four loud speakers scattered through the orchard," said the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal. He died at the age of 81 in June 1970. Burial of the remains was in Bradford Cemetery in Marshallton, Chester County.

• Granddaughter Elda Mary Romig (1893-1963) -- sometimes misspelled "Ida" -- was born on March 27, 1893. She married John E. Grim (1890-1979). They established a home in Allentown, Lehigh County. The Grims bore these known children -- Leola Mary Lewis, Calvin D. Grim and Ralph M. Grim. Elda worked over the years for Queen City Dress Company, and retired from the position. The Grims' address in the early 1960s was 2032 Green Street in Allentown. At the age of 70, stricken with cancer of the uterus and lung and congestive heart failure, Elda died in Allentown on May 28, 1963. Her remains were lowered into eternal repose in Union Cemetery of Bowers, Berks County. John survived by 16 years and passed into eternity in 1979.

Daughter Rebecca Romig (1856-1942) was born on Sept. 3, 1856. Rendered motherless at the age of 13 in 1870, she took over the family's house-keeping duties. She married a distant step-cousin, William Moyer Conrad (Jan. 5, 1846-1928), son of Elijah/Elias Conrad and stepson of Marietta (Wetzel) Conrad. See their biography for more.

Daughter Cassy Ann Romig (1859- ? ) was born on Feb. 7, 1859. Her date of death is unknown, but she rests for all time in Huff's Church Cemetery. She was deceased by 1927, and may have died in childhood..

Daughter Esther Romig (1864- ? ) was born in about 1864 in Berks County. As a girl, she lived on the family farm in Longswamp Township. She was deceased by 1927.

Son Moses C. Romig (1866-1940) was born on June 7, 1866 in Berks County. He was three years of age when his mother passed away and six when his father died. The boy was taken in by an uncle and aunt, John and Kate Geist, and raised in their home in Longswamp Township. At the age of 13, in 1880, Moses was shown in the Geist household, laboring as a "Hired Man." That same year, in September 1880, "John H. Geist" was appointed Moses' legal guardian in proceedings of Berks County Court. As an adult, Moses joined the Muhlenberg Lodge of the International Order of Odd Fellows. He was united in matrimony with Emma L. Kline (Aug. 12, 1872-1946), daughter of Aaron and Marian (Johnson) Kline. Their only known son was Walter K. Romig. As with his brother John, Moses earned a living as a plaster and contractor. He was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge in Reading. In 1929, at the death of his older brother John, he was named in the Allentown Morning Call obituary. The couple's address in the 1920s and '30s was with their son at 413 North 11th Street. Stricken with prostate cancer, chronic heart disease and an enlarged heart, Moses succumbed to death in Reading Hospital on Feb. 27, 1940. Burial was in Laureldale Cemetery. Emma survived another six years and moved into the home of Mrs. Willliam Lenhart at 1114 Greenwich Street. Burdened with cancer in her gastro-intestinal tract, Emma passed on June 11, 1946, at the age of 73.

• Grandson Walter K. Romig (1892-1973) was born on March 13, 1892 in Reading. As a young adult he was tall and stout, with dark brown eyes and light brown hair. He became a cigar maker for Charles M. Yetter & Co. in Shillington, and at the age of 25 worked in this business in 1917. During World War I, he served as a private in the U.S. Army. Circa 1926, he wedded Anna L. Gable ( ? -1960), daughter of Sebastian Gable. News of their marriage license was published in the Reading Times. Walter lived at 413 North 11th Street in 1940. He died at the age of 81, in Greenfield Manor in Reading, in July 1973. Interment of the remains was in Laureldale Cemetery.

~ Daughter Rebecca (Frederick) Hilbert ~

Daughter Rebecca Frederick (1830-1871) was born on March 19, 1830 in Berks County.

She wed William Hilbert (Jan. 23, 1827-1911), son of Johannes "John" and Elizabeth (Angstadt) Hilbert of Rockland Township, Berks County. They were farmers, making their home in Rockland.

The couple produced these known children -- David Hilbert, Emaline Stimmel, Elizabeth Hilbert, William F. Hilbert, Mary "Polly" Angstadt, Jairus F. Hilbert, Sarah Frederick, Hannah Hilbert and Katie Hilbert.

When the federal census was taken in 1860, the family resided next door to William's parents in Rockland Township, with 34-year-old William working as a farmer, and 24-year-old tenant John Hilbert earning a living as a day laborer. They also provided a home that year for 14-year-old Franklin Barto, connection unknown. In 1870, still in Lyons, Rockland Township, William and his son William worked together on the family farm.

Rebecca passed away at the untimely age of 41 on April 12, 1871 in Dryville, Berks County. Interment was in New Jerusalem Union Cemetery. [Find-a-Grave]

William survived her by 40 years, and remarried to Mary (Noll) Rohrbach ( ? - ? ), widow of Isaac Jung Rohrback and the daughter of William and Mary (Rohrbach) Noll. She brought three offspring to the second union -- Missouri Barto, Hannah Noll Mathias and Margaret Miller. He was a member of the Lutheran congregation of the New Jerusalem Church and gave his time as an elder and deacon as well as a member of the church cemetery board.

The family grieved at the untimely deaths of young married daughters Emaline Stimmel (1874) and Elizabeth Angstadt (1875), and son-in-law Jairus "Jared" Angstadt in 1879. As William's granddaughter Rebecca Angstadt was now an orphan, he was named her legal guardian in Berks County Court proceedings in December 1879.

Suffering from senile disability spanning several months of time, he died in Dryville on Jan. 21, 1911, just two days shy of his 84th birthday. After the completion of funeral services led by Rev. William F. Bond, the remains were placed into eternal rest beside Rebecca's in the New Jerusalem Cemetery. An obituary was printed in the Reading Times, which said he had been "a lifelong resident of this vicinity" and had "lived on the farm which is at present occupied by his son, William F. Hilbert, at which place his former wife, Rebecca (nee Frederick), died."

Son David Hilbert ( ? - ? ) died young. His mortal remains are in eternal repose in New Jerusalem Union Cemetery.

Daughter Emaline "Emma" Hilbert (1851-1874) was born in about 1851. When she was about 18 years of age, circa 1869, she married Samuel G. Stimmel (Feb. 12, 1849-1924), son of Isaac and Saloma (Guinther) Stimmel. The couple were the parents of two sons, Oscar H. Stimmel and Harry H. Stimmel. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1870, the young family lived in Rockland Township, Berks County, with Samuel earning a living as a laborer. The specter of grief shrouded the family when Emeline died in April 1874, ending their marriage which had endured for five short years. Burial was in New Jerusalem Union Church Cemetery, with a marker erected at the grave, inscribed in German. [Find-a-Grave] By 1880, Samuel had remarried to Savannah Louisa Hilbert (Nov. 1863- ? ), who was 13 to 14 years younger. The 1880 U.S. Census of Rockland shows 30-year-old Samuel with the occupation of shoemaker, 16-year-old Savannah and 10-year-old son Oscar, who was working that year as a laborer. The second marriage produced four children -- William I. Stimmel, Emma S. Stimmel (born 1881), Eva S. DeLong (1885) and Herbach/Herbert C. Stimmel (1886). The Stimmels dwelled in Ruscombmanor Township in 1910, with census records showing Samuel working as a truck farmer. Their address in the early 1920s was at 202 South Lehigh Avenue in Salisbury Township, Lehigh County. Samuel lived to the age of 74. He traveled to spend the Christmas holidays at the home of his daughter Eva S. DeLong of Mountainville, but suffered a stroke shortly after arriving. Within the week, he died, three days after Christmas 1924. An obituary in the Allentown Morning Call reported that he was "formerly of Oley, Pa., but now of Reading." Eva Delong signed the death certificate. His bones are interred in Fairview Cemetery in Allentown. Of his sons from the second union, William lived in East St. Louis and Herbert in Bowling Green, OH, both circa 1924, and by 1943 were "both in the western part of the United States," noted the Morning Call.

• Grandson Oscar H. Stimmel (1869-1943) was born on Sept. 9, 1869 in New Jerusalem, Rockland Township, Berks County. In May 1906, when he would have been age 36, he was joined in wedded union with Ida J. Light ( ? -1947), daughter of Edward and Elizabeth (Kleinfelter) Light. Their wedding ceremony was held in the parsonage of the Seventh Street Lutheran Church in Lebanon, Lebanon County, PA, officiated by Rev. P.C. Croll. In a story about the nuptials, the Lebanon Daily News said that the bride "was attired in a handsome gown of white silk and wore lillies of the valley in her hair." The article added that Ida was "well and favorably known here, and has a large circle of friends. The groom is foreman of the Pennsylvania telephone company, at Reading." The couple bore at least one son, Reginald P. "R.P." Stimmel. They initially lived in Reading but relocated to Allentown in 1914 and dwelled at 715½ St. John Street. Starting in about 1890, Oscar's occupation over the years was employment with Bell Telephone Company. His first position was as a ground man, and a decade later he was promoted to line foreman. Then from 1912 to 1914, he was a construction foreman of a "floating" team which worked at sites all throughout Allentown and Lebanon, PA. Upon moving to Allentown, he worked as a gang foreman in the plant department and progressed to line foreman in 1919. After six years, he became affiliated with the Lehigh Telephone Company, helping manage "all the telephone conduit construction jobs in the the lower Lehigh Valley," said the Allentown Morning Call. Circa 1922, he helped found a Harrisburg chapter of the Telephone Pioneers of America, said the Morning Call, established "for the purpose of bringing together the men and women of the various Bell companies who have been in the service for twenty-one years and over." The Stimmels also are known to have hosted church council meetings of Grace Lutheran Church in their home. When Oscar's grandfather William Hilbert died in 1911, he received a bequest from the estate in the amount of $10. Oscar's final years of work for the company were spent inspecting conduits throughout the territory. After more than 43 years of service with Bell Telephone, Oscar retired on July 31, 1933. Sadly, having borne prostate cancer which had spread, Oscar succumbed to death in Allentown Hospital at the age of 74 on Dec. 8, 1943. The remains were placed into eternal sleep in Grandview Cemetery. He was pictured in his Morning Call obituary. Ida lived for another four years with her final address 1245 North 19th Street in Allentown. She died in Sacred Heart Hospital on Oct. 13, 1947. Son Reginald. married Ada Winifred Claire, daughter of Alfred Clare of Allentown and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Circa 1947, Reginald was a district assemblyman, with an office in Harrisburg.

• Grandson Harry H. Stimmel (1873-1949) was born on Oct. 31, 1873 and was a toddler when his mother died. He was joined in matrimony with Katie Heydt ( ? -1951), daughter of Elam and Mary (Fronheiser) Heydt. They bore two children -- Sally Sands and Lowell C. Stimmel. When Harry's grandfather William Hilbert died in 1911, he received a bequest from the estate in the amount of $10. The family home was located at 30 South Reading Avenue in Boyertown. They were members of St. John's Lutheran Church. As with his brother Oscar, Harry was diagnosed with prostate cancer which metastasized, an illness which he battled for three years. At the age of 75, Harry passed away at home on Valentine's Day 1949. Burial of the remains was in Boyertown, with Rev. David F. Longacre officiating at the funeral service. Son Lowell Stimmel of Newark, DE signed the death certificate, and the Pottstown (PA) Mercury published an obituary. Katie lived as a widow for two years, and succumbed to the Angel of Death at the age of 76 on Aug. 22, 1951. As he had done earlier, Rev. Longacre preached the funeral sermon. Her obituary also was printed in the Mercury. Daughter Sally married James D. Sands and dwelled in Boyertown.

Daughter Elizabeth Hilbert (1852-1875) was born on New Year's Eve 1852. She wedded Jairus Y. "Jared" Angstadt (April 17, 1849-1879). The only known child born to this union was Rebecca H. Funk Hinkle. Tragically, their marriage was not destined for long. At the age of 22 years and two days, on Jan. 3, 1875, Elizabeth was cut away by the Grim Reaper. Her body was laid to rest in New Jerusalem Union Church Cemetery. A marker was set at the grave, with the text inscribed in German. [Find-a-Grave] Jairus only survived her by four years and wedded a second time to Vilanda Bortz (1856-1920). The couple lived in ockland Township and produced a son of their own, Martin B. Angstadt. Further heartbreak compounded the grief when Jairus entered eternity on May 4, 1879, when he was only 30 years of age. He too rests in New Jerusalem Union Cemetery, with his grave marker written in English. An epitaph at the base of his marker bears a familiar text: "Remember me as you pass by. As you are now, once was I. As I am now, soon you must be; Prepare for death and follow me." As both of his children were fatherless, and one an orphan, the county court appointed guardians. Rebecca's grandfather William Hilbert was named as hers', and Martin's grandfather Simon Bortz was named as his, with the appointments published in the Reading Times.

• Granddaughter Rebecca H. Angstadt (1873-1942) was born on Sept. 14, 1873. She was not quite 16 months old when her mother died, and six years of age at the death of her father. Now orphaned, her grandfather William Hilbert was named as her legal guardian. Rebecca was twice married. Her first spouse was Samuel Funk (1873-1925), the son of Israel Funk. Their marriage produced four known children -- Lawrence A. Funk, Katie A. Funk, Paul A. Funk and Eva A. Hinkle. Only their daughter Eva survived childhood. The Reading Times once said of Samuel that he "was a school teacher for some years and later a school director. He was assessor of Rockland township for 8 years. He was also janitor of the New Jerusalem Church for 20 years." In his free time, Samuel belonged to the lodges of the Knights of the Golden Eagle of Manatawny, the Knights of Friendship of New Jereusalem and the Pioneer Grange in Topton. When Rebecca's grandfather William Hilbert died in 1911, she received a bequest from the estate in the amount of $10. Sadly, Samuel endured a five-year decline in his health and was bedfast for several weeks at the end. He died in New Jerusalem on Nov. 10, 1925. Funeral servies were held in the family church, preached by Rev. W.L. Bond. Later, she wedded again to James F. Hinkle (1854-1939). Rebecca was rendered a widow for the second time when James succumbed to death in 1939. At the age of 68, Rebecca died on March 19, 1942. Her remains are in eternal repose in New Jerusalem Union Cemetery.

Son William H.F. Hilbert (1855-1931) was born on Jan. 27, 1855. William married Catharine A. Moyer (1855-1931), daughter of John and Sarah (Angstad) Moyer. The couple produced a family of offspring -- Sallie Hilbert, Agnes M. DeLong, Rebecca Youse, Charles Hilbert, Sylvester M. Hilbert, Amanda DeLong, Eva M. Reinert and Sarah M. "Sadie" Hilbert. Sadly, daughter Sallie died at the age of six on Jan. 5, 1881, with the remains buried in New Jerusalem Union Cemetery. The Hilberts were farmers and lived on his father's farm near New Jerusalem, Rockland Township in 1908, and in Mertztown, Rockland Township in retirement in the early 1930s. They were members of the Lutheran congregation of the New Jerusalem Union Church. The family was plunged into grief in April 1912 when their youngest daughter Sadie died after contracting influenza and pneumonia. William suffered for 14 years from painful chronic rheumatic arthritis. Just two weeks before what would have been his 76th birthday, William suffered a stroke and died in the Dryville residence of his son Charles on Jan. 13, 1931. Burial was in the New Jerusalem Church Cemetery, with an obituary appearing in the Reading Times and Allentown Morning Call. Charles Hilbert of Mertztown was the informant for the official Pennsylvania certificate of death. Catharine only survived her husband by seven months. She died in Boyertown, Berks County on Aug. 18, 1931, also of a stroke, at the age of 75. She joined her husband in repose at New Jerusalem Cemetery. Sylvester Hilbert of Boyertown provided personal details for her death certificate.

• Granddaughter Agnes M. Hilbert (1877-1953) was born on May 15, 1877 in New Jerusalem, Rockland Township, Berks County. She married Amandus A. DeLong (1877-1938), son of James and Hannah (Angstadt) DeLong. The couple's only daughter was Beulah H. Silsdorf. Their home for decades was in Bowers Station, Maxatawny Township, Berks County. The family were members of Trinity Lutheran Church of Bowers, and Amandus belonged to the Pioneer Grange of Topton. Sadly, at the age of 60, he died at home on March 5, 1938. Funeral services were held in the home and in the family church, with burial in Bowers Cemetery. Having borne hardening of the arteries, and felled by a heart attack, she died at the age of 75 on Feb. 25, 1953. Interment was in Bowers Cemetery.

• Granddaughter Rebecca M. Hilbert (1878-1953) was born on Nov. 9, 1878. She wedded Daniel C. Youse (1880-1953). The couple lost their only son, Stanley, at the age of about one in 1906. They dwelled in Reading in 1912 -- Pottstown in 1931 -- and Mertztown in 1953. The Youses belonged to the New Jerusalem Church. Rebecca was burdened with heart disease for the final two years of her life, and went to resided in the Young and Fritz Home. She passed away at the age of 74 on Oct. 14, 1953. Her remains were lowered into eternal repose in New Jerusalem Union Church Cemetery, with Rev. Paul J. Dundore preaching.

• Grandson Charles Hilbert (1881-1938) was born on May 7, 1881. He was a lifelong farmer and lived in New Jerusalem in 1912 -- Dryville, Berks County in 1931 -- and Mertztown, Berks County in 1938. He wedded Clara Heffner ( ? - ? ). They had one daughter, Carrie Catherine Guinther. charles at one time was a school board director in Rockland Township. In late 1937, he was diagnosed with lung cancer, and only lived for another few months. He succumbed at the age of 56 on April 4, 1938. Burial was in New Jerusalem, with son-in-law Edwin T. Guinther providing details for the death certificate.

• Grandson Sylvester M. Hilbert (1890-1959) was born on Feb. 27, 1890 in Rockland Township, Berks County. He resided in 1912 in New Jerusalem. In January 1913, at the age of 22, he was united in wedlock with a distant cousin, Ella Nora W. Frederick (Feb. 23, 1897-1983), daughter of Obadiah J.K. and Katie H.Y. (Weidner) Frederick of Bechtelsville, of the family of Jonathan "Jonas" and Lydia Ann (Mest) Frederick. In a story about their wedding, the Reading Times said that the "young couple were serenaded by a Calithumpian band." The couple produced two known sons -- William F. Hilbert and Arthur F. Hilbert. Sylvester worked over the years as a machine operator, working for the Frederick Brothers Inc. planing mill in Pottstown at the corner of Hanover and East Streets. He and Ella Nora made their home in the 1950s in Gilbertsville along Swamp Pike, Montgomery County. They were members of St. Paul's Church of Lobachsville, and he belonged to the Boyertown Nest of the Fraternal Order of Orioles. On the fateful day of May 21, 1959, at the age of 69, Sylvester took his own life by hanging in the basement of their at home. Ella Nora discovered the body and contacted a neighbor for help. Interment of the remains was in St. Paul's Cemetery in Berks County. A story in the Pottstown Mercury said he had been "despondent over heart trouble" which had lasted for nine months. Rev. Luther Lee Lengel, of the family church, led the funeral, with interment in Lobachsville Cemetery. Ella Nora survived for another 24 years. She died in Topton in Jan. 1983 at the age of 85. Sylvester is not the same Sylvester Hilbert who, in September 1913, disappeared from his home near Alburtis and was presumed to have been murdered, but instead is thought to have "hit for the wild and wholly west land [to become] a cowboy," said the Times.

• Granddaughter Eva M. Hilbert (1884-1954) was born on March 27, 1884 in Berks County. She was joined in marriage with Cladies Reinert (Dec. 23, 1885-1958), also spelled "Cletes" and "Claytus," the son of Annias and Ellen (Moyer) Reinert. Two children were born to this marriage -- Grace V. Fritz and Myrtle I. Reinert. For decades, they lived in Reading, where Cladies owned and operated a cabinet works. The Reinerts' address in the 1950s was 518 North 10th Street. In her final years, Eva bore hardening of the arteries. On the sad day of Feb. 2, 1954, the 69-year-old Eva was felled by what a doctor called "acute coronary insufficiency." She was rushed to Community General Hospital, where she died 40 minutes after arrival. Burial was in Laureldale Cemetery in Muhlenberg Township, Berks County. Cladias outlived his wife by four years as a widower. He too suffered from heart problems and, after enduring a heart attack, was admitted to Community General Hospital and succumbed to death on March 23, 1958. Daughter Grace Fritz, of the family home, was the informant for the official Pennsylvania certificate of death.

• Granddaughter Sarah "Sadie" Hilbert (1895-1912) was born on Jan. 7, 1895. She grew up on the family farm near New Jerusalem, Rockland Township, and helped her mother keep house. She belonged to the Sunday School of the New Jerusalem Church. Tragically, at the age of 17, Sadie contracted influenza and pneumonia in mid-April 1912. She suffered for 11 days until the Angel of Death carried her away on April 28, 1912. Funeral services were held at home and at the family church, in the charge of Rev. William F. Bond. Interment of the remains was in New Jerusalem Union Cemetery, with a prominent stone placed at the grave. An obituary in the Reading Times noted that she was her parents' "youngest daughter."

Boyertown's Philadelphia Avenue, looking west

Daughter Mary Rebecca "Polly Rebecca" Hilbert (1856-1927) was born on Nov. 16, 1856. On March 10, 1877, when she was 20 years of age, Polly Rebecca was united in the bonds of holy matrimony married Rolandus Y. Angstadt (June 17, 1854-1930) -- also spelled "Orlandus" - "Rolandes" - and Rolando -- the son of Benjamin and Dora (Yoder) Angstadt. Their brood of six offspring were Irvin H. Angstadt, Sylvanus Angstadt, Katie Scherer Deysher, William Angstadt, Clayton H. Angstadt and Florence Heere. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1880, the Angstadts dwelled in New Jerusalem, Berks County, with Rolandus earning a living as a laborer. By 1900, the family had relocated to the western section of Oley Township, where his occupation was farm laborer. In 1908-1999, the couple resided near Boyertown, Douglass Township, a municipality on the Berks/Lehigh County border. When her father died in 1911, Polly and her siblings each received a bequest from the estate in the amount of $451.90. For the last two years of her life, she bore chronic heart valve disease and gastritis. When she contracted a low grade case of pneumonia and a cold in mid-December 1927, Polly suffered for 10 days before passing into eternal glory three days after Christmas in 1927. Interment of the remains was in Fairview Cemetery in Boyertown. The widowed Rolandus lived for another two years, making his home with his daughter-in-law Florence Heere in Colebrookdale Township, Berks County. He was burdened with hardening of the arteries and, on Jan. 8, 1930, died suddenly after a stroke, at the age of 75. Son Clayton H. Angstadt of Boyertown was the informant for the Pennsylvania certificate of death.

• Grandson Irvin H. Angstadt (1877-1952) was born in about 1877 in Rockland Township. He was united in the bonds of wedlock with Femie Weller ( ? - ? ), sometimes misspelled "Fannie." The Angstadts bore three offspring, Katie Rebecca W. Dierolf, Eva Bechtel and Harvey Angstadt. They lived in Eshbach, PA in 1927 and at 26 East Philadelphia Avenue in Boyertown in the early 1950s. The couple were members of St. Joseph's (Hill) Lutheran Church. For 18 years, starting in 1928, his occupation was as a watchman for B. Maimon and Sons Factory in Boyertown. He eventually retired in 1946 at the age of 69. In the early autumn of 1952, as Irvin's health plummeted, following the deaths of his sister and married daughter earlier in the year. He became bedfast, and remained so for the last four weeks of his life. He died at the age of 75 on Oct. 26, 1952. Rev. Luther Lee Lengel, pastor of the family church, officiated at the funeral. The Pottstown Mercury printed an obituary.

Great-granddaughter Katie Rebecca W. Angstadt (1903-1952) was born on June 5, 1903 in Washington Township, Berks County. As a young woman she made a home at Landis Store. In mid-August 1913, when she was 17 years of age, Katie wedded 21-year-old Henry M. Dierolf ( ? - ? ), a resident of Oley and the son of George A. and Rose Dierolf. Rev. W.H. Warmkessel presided at the wedding, held in the parsonage of Hope Lutheran Church. News of their marriage was printed in the Reading Times. The pair made a home in rural Pike Township, with the post office of Oley. Circa 1928, they were laborers on the farm of Frederick Roscher, but resigned and moved into the home of Henry's father. Heartache shattered the family unit when Katie developed growths on her ovaries, which led to peritonitis and a septic infection. She was treated at St. Joseph Hospital and, after a stay of five weeks, died at the age of 49 on July 24, 1952. Burial of the remains was in Hill Church Cemetery, Pike Township.

Great-granddaughter Eva Angstadt married Harold K. Bechtel and lived in New Berlinsville in 1952.

Great-grandson Harvey Angstadt

• Grandson Sylvanus H. Angstadt (1879-1949) was born in about 1879 in Rockland Township. He married Nevada C. Bohn ( ? - ? ). The couple appears not to have reproduced. Circa 1927-1949, they dwelled in Shanesville, PA. Sylvania passed away at the age of 70 in Reading Hospital on April 1, 1949. An obituary in the Pottstown Mercury noted that was a longtime farm laborer, having retired a few years earlier, and "had spent most of his life in Shanesville." Officiating at the funeral service was Rev. Harper L. Schneck of the Good Shepherd Reformed Church. Interment of the remains was in Oley Cemetery in Spangsville.

National Bank and Boyertown Inn, Boyertown

• Granddaughter Katie Angstadt (1881-1968) was born in 1881. She was twice married. She first wedded Howard Scherer (Aug. 9, 1873-1931), son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Heller) Scherer. The couple resided in Reading in the latter 1920s and early 1930s at 410 Printz Street, with Howard working as a jeweler. One son was born to this union, William A. Scherer. They were members of the Good Shepherd United Church of Christ at Boyertown. Grief cascaded upon the family when Howard was diagnosed with inoperable cancer throughout the pancreas, with bulky masses develpoing in the liver and bleeding in the intestines. He bore the illness for several months and underwent surgery, but there was no hope. Death swept him away, just a few weeks shy of his 58th birthday, on July 22, 1931. Burial was in Laureldale Cemetery, with son William signing the death certificate. After a period of mourning, Katie married again to David Deysher ( ? - ? ). He had been married previously and brought two sons to the second marriage, James Deysher and Elwood Deysher. Their home in 1952 was 310 East Fourth Street in Boyertown. Sadly, she was rendered a widow for a second time when David succumbed to death in 1954. After three years as a widow, Katie became a resident of the Phoebe Home in Allentown. There, she remained for the last 11 years of her existence. She died at the age of 87 on July 19, 1968. Leading the funeral service was Rev. Paul P. Haas, superintendent of the Phoebe Home, with burial following in Laureldale Cemetery. An obituary was printed in the Pottstown Mercury.

• Grandson William Hilbert Angstadt (1886-1965) was born in 1886 in Rockland Township. He was bonded in holy matrimony with Ida H. Weand ( ? - ? ). The couple produced a son and a daughter, Russell C. Angstadt and Leona A. Miller. They made a home for many years in Boyertown, at 18 South Reading Avenue. They belonged to the Good Shepherd United Church of Christ in Boyertown. William earned income over time working for 37 years for Boyertown Burial Casket Company. After leaving there, he was employed for seven years by Firestone Tire and Rubber of Pottstown, and then for a time with the Boyertown Auto Body Works. He relocated for a time to New Berlinville and was there circa 1952. William retired from the auto body business circa 1957. Sadly, at the age of 78, William died at home on Feb. 21, 1965. His remains were lowered under the sod in Fairview Cemetery, Boyertown, following funeral service led by Rev. Harper L. Schneck. An obituary appeared in the Pottstown Mercury.

Great-grandson Russell C. Angstadt relocated to North Carolina, making a home in 1965 in Greenville.

Great-granddaughter Leona A. Angstadt wedded Lawrence M. Miller and lived in Drexel Hill, PA.

• Grandson Clayton H. Angstadt (1890-1972) was born on April 24, 1890 in Berks County. He wedded Sallie M. Weidner (1888-1976), daughter of Hannah Weidner. The couple lived in Boyertown in 1930-1965, with an address of 221 North Reading Avenue. Their only known daughter was Edna M. Hafer. Tragedy was avoided in July 1932 when Sallie and her mother were driving at Earlville, Berks County. Their vehicle collided with another, with both women slightly injured.

Great-granddaughter Edna M. Angstadt ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). In young adulthood, she studied at Stoner's Business School in Reading. Then on Sept. 13, 1930, in nuptials held at St. John's Reformed Church in Reading, she married Harold F. Hafer ( ? - ? ), son of B. Frank Hafer. At the time of marriage, Harold had received his undergraduate degree at Franklin and Marshall College (1929) and was enrolled at Reformed Theological Seminary in Lancaster, Lancaster County, PA. News of their pending wedding was printed in the Reading Times. They were the parents of Betty Jeanne Hafer. Harold graduated from the seminary with a bachelor of divinity degree in May 1922. Circa 1933, he was pastor of a church in Ridgley, MD, and was guest speaker in Boyertown at the 114th anniversary of the International Order of Odd Fellows.

• St. John's Lutheran Church

  Granddaughter Florence H. Angstadt (1896-1952) was born on June 6, 1896 in Manatawny, Berks County. She was joined in holy matrimony with Hasting B. Heere (Oct. 30, 1895-1958), son of Philip and Katie (Born) Heere. Hasting was of medium height and build and had blue eyes and dark brown hair. The two children they produced were Virginia Sands Bower and Hasting Heere Jr. In young manhood he was a cigar maker, working for Eisenlohr & Brothers of Boyerstown. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I. They lived in 1927-1930 in Englesville, PA and in the early 1950s in Boyertown. Florence was a member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Boyertown, while Hasting belonged to Gospel Hall. He was a member of the local post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Sadness enveloped the family when Florence passed away on May 24, 1952. Rev. David F. Longacre, of the family church, led the funeral service, with interment following in Boyertown's Union Cemetery. An obituary was printed in the Pottstown Mercury. Hasting lived as a widower for another six years. His final place of employment was Boyertown Auto Body Works. He succumbed to death at the age of 64 on Dec. 11, 1958 in the Ide Rest Home of Birdsboro. Rev. William Wallace presided at the funeral service.

Great-granddaughter Virginia Heere (1917-1997) married William I. Sands. In the late 1950s, they made a home in Boyertown.

Great-grandson Hasting Heere Jr. served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Korean War. He dwelled in Lititz, PA in 1958.

Son Jairus F. Hilbert (1858-1939) -- also known as "Jeremiah," and sometimes misspelled as"James" and "Jaires"  -- was born on Sept. 12, 1858 in New Jerusalem. For many years, starting in about 1886, he dwelled in Pottstown, Montgomery County. Jairus earned a living for 52 years as a harness maker and retired in 1937. He married Emma Seidel (1864-1941), a native of Alsace, Berks County and the daughter of Benjamin and Rebecca Seidel. The three known offspring born to this union were Charles S. Hilbert, Gertrude S. Hilbert and Mayme Kleinspehn. In the 1930s, they made their residence at 109 High Street in Pottstown. Afflicted with heart and kidney disease, Jairus died at the age of 81 on Nov. 27, 1939. His remains were placed in eternal repose in Mt. Zion Cemetery in Chester County, PA. Charles S. Hilbert of Pottstown signed the death certificate. Herself suffering from kidney and heart problems, Emma only outlived her husband by two years. Her health declined, and she passed on Sept. 12, 1941. She rests beside her husband.

• Grandson Charles S. Hilbert (1884-1960)

• Granddaughter Gertrude S. Hilbert (1885-1961)

• Granddaughter Mayme Hilbert (1887-1961) wedded Kleinspehn

Daughter Sarah F. Hilbert (1863-1908) was born on March 24, 1863 in Rockland Township. She married Mahlon B. Frederick (1860-1945), son of Daniel and Susanna (Breidegam) Frederick. (The two families were close, and Sarah's sister Hannah married Mahlon's brother Ambrose.) In about 1888, Sarah and Mahlon relocated to Reading, and remained there for the rest of their lives, in Mahlon's case, for nearly 60 years. The couple had these children -- Annie Knoll High, Essie Dearolt (or "Dierolf"), Sarah "Sadie" Knoll, Edith Bortz and Charles Henry Fredericks. They made their home at 319 Pear Street and were members of St. Luke Lutheran Church. At the age of 45, on Aug. 1, 1908, having suffered for four months from cancer of the stomach and transverse colon, she passed away. Burial was in the Charles Evans Cemetery. An obituary appeared on the front page of the same day's edition of the Reading Eagle. Mahlon survived as a widower for 37 years. He resided at 234 Read Street in Reading, and worked for many years as a linesman and foreman with Bell Telephone Company. Suffering from heart degeneration, hardening of the arteries and other health problems, he died 16 days after his 85th birthday on Sept. 21, 1945. Interment was in Charles Evans Cemetery. Daughter Annie (Mrs. Charles W. Knoll) signed his Pennsylvania certificate of death.

• Granddaughter Annie L. Frederick (1881-1955) was born on Christmas Eve 1881 in Bowers, PA. She appears to have been married twice, divorced once and separated the last. Her first husband was (?) Knoll. They produced one known son, Merrill S. Knoll. Annie and Knoll divorced. She then married William E. High ( ? - ? ). To the second marriage, she had at least son son, William E. Knoll Jr. At least three other children were involved, Dorothy Schelhammer, Miriam A. Planer and Ethel Wagner. Annie was a member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church. Tragically, she had to sign the death certificate of her ill-fated brother Charles when crushed to death at the local firehouse in May 1927. In the mid-1950s, separated from her second husband, Annie made her home with her son Merrill at 214 North Front Street in Reading. For the final year of her life, she endured hardening of the arteries and then on June 6, 1955, at the age of 73, succumbed to a sudden heart attack. Her remains were placed into eternal rest in Charles Evans Cemetery. An obituary in the Reading Eagle noted that her survivors included eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. In 1955, her daughter Dorothy lived in Reading, William in Reading, Miriam in West Lawn, Ethel in Wilmington, DE and Merrill in Reading.

• Granddaughter Essie Frederick (1884-1968) was born in 1884. She married Harry C. Dierolf (1885-1960), son of Henry and Ida (Herb) Dierolf. They made their residence in West Reading for many years, at the address of 1228 Schuylkill Avenue. Harry supported the family through his work providing maintenance services. When in his 70s, he contracted cancer of the left cheek. Enduring hardening of the arteries and then a heart attack, he died on Oct. 16, 1960 at the age of 74. Interment was in Pleasant View Cemetery in Spring, Berks County.

• Chapel at Charles Evans Cemetery

  Grandson Charles Henry Fredericks (1886-1927) was born on Feb. 15, 1886. He never married and earned a living as a painter. He may also have been a volunteer firefighter. Tragedy ended his life on May 29, 1927 when he was 41 years old. While at the Junior Fire Company firehouse on Walnut Street four days earlier, he was caught between the engine vehicle and chemical wagon, and was crushed, causing massive bleeding and peritonitis. Though rushed to the Homeopathic Hospital in Reading, he could not overcome the severity of his injuries. Burial was in Charles Evans Cemetery, following funeral services held in his father's home. His sister Sadie Knoll signed his death certificate. Despite the sensational nature of his death, only a brief funeral notice appeared in the Reading Eagle five days after the incident.

• Granddaughter Edith A. Fredericks (1887-1912) was born on Dec. 14, 1887. She married Nelson Bortz ( ? - ? ). In 1912, the couple's address was in her father's dwelling at 632 Washington Street in Reading. Tragically, afflicted with tuberculosis, she died at the age of 24 on June 7, 1912. Funeral services were held at the residence and at the St. Thomas Reformed Church, with burial in Charles Evans Cemetery. A brief death notice appeared in the Reading Eagle.

• Granddaughter Sadie Laura Frederick (1891-1967) was born in 1891. She was united in wedlock with Charles Knoll (1894-1956), son of Elmer and Alice (Schlaybach) Knoll of Rehrersburg, PA. Charles was employed in the stock room of Bell Telephone Company. They lived at 234 Reed Street in Reading in the mid-1950s. For the final two years of his life, Charles was burdened with heart degeneration. He died on July 12, 1956 at the age of 62. His remains were placed into the death at Pleasant View Cemetery in Spring Township, Berks County.

Daughter Hannah Hilbert (1866-1939) was born on Oct. 31, 1866 in Rockland Township, Berks County. On Aug. 16, 1890, when she was age 28 and he 25, Hannah married a presumed cousin, Ambrose Frederick (1865-1926), son of Daniel and Lucian "Lucy" (Breidegam) Frederick. Rev. F.K. Heintzinger officiated under the auspices of the Lutheran Church. At the time, Ambrose was employed as a lineman and lived at 203 North 10th Street in Reading. Of their children, four are known -- Maude Brown, Elmer Frederick, Earl Hilbert Frederick and Ralph H. Frederick. Ambrose continued his employment as a lineman for the rest of his life. In later years, their home was at 736 North 11th Street in Reading. At the age of 60, afflicted with coronary disease and hardening of the arteries, he died on Jan. 18, 1926. His remains were buried at Charles Evans Cemetery. Son Elmer Frederick signed the death certificate. Hannah remained in their home during her 13 years as a widow. She was named in the 1931 Reading Times obituary of her brother William. Just five days before Christmas 1939, at the age of 73, she expired due to respiratory paralysis and cerebral thrombosis. Burial was with her husband in Charles Evans Cemetery. Signing her official death certificate was Bertha Schoen.

• Granddaughter Maude Frederick (1891-1950) was born on March 28, 1891 in Reading. She married Sylvester Brown (1891-1955), son of Frank B. and Katie (Rapp) Brown of Berks County. They lived at 1144 Mulberry Street in 1950. Sylvester earned income as a molder in the shops of the Reading Railroad. Tragically, Maude contracted cancer of her ileocecal valve, located between the small and large intestines. It spread throughout other parts of her body over the last 18 months of her life. She underwent surgery in February 1949, but it did not bring about a cure. She died on July 7, 1950, in Reading's Community Hospital, at the age of 59. Her remains were placed into eternal repose in Laureldale Cemetery in Muhlenberg Township. Sylvester survived his wife by five years and remained in their home. His heart began to fail, and in January 1955 he suffered a heart attack. He died eight days later, in West Reading Hospital, at the age of 63 on Jan. 16, 1955. Interment was beside his wife, following funeral services conducted by Rev. E.R. Deibert.

• Grandson Ralph H. Frederick (1894-1933) was born on May 12, 1894. He married Emily (?) and was employed in Reading as a clerk. Their address in the early 1930s was at 926 Mulberry. Evidence suggests that Ralph suffered for a long time from chronic heart degeneration. Sadly, at the age of 31, he died instantly after acute cardiac failure, in Reading Hospital, on April 10, 1933. Burial was in Schwarzwald Cemetery, with a death notice printed in the Reading Eagle.

• Grandson Elmer Frederick (1896-1945) was born on July 21, 1896. He apparently never married, and apparently served with the U.S. Navy during World War I. Elmer lived in Reading at 1041 Greenwich Street and worked as a boarder in a local hosiery factory. He was a member of the Hampden Fire Company, the Ivy Leaf Association and St. Luke's Lutheran Church. In early January 1945, suffering from heart disease and hardening of the arteries, he was admitted to the U.S. Naval Hospital in Philadelphia. He remained there for two months and 18 days until his demise on March 27, 1945, at the age of 48. His body was brought back for burial in Reading's Charles Evans Cemetery. An obituary was published in the Reading Eagle.

• Grandson Earl Hilbert Frederick  (1904-1952) was born on June 15, 1904 in Reading. He married Vera ( ? - ? ). they lived in Camp Hill, Cumberland County, PA, where his occupation was as an engineer with the local telephone company. Their address in the early 1950s was at 134 North 25th Street in Camp Hill. Sadly, at the untimely age of 48, he died instantly after suffering a heart attack, on June 24, 1952. His remains were returned to Reading for entombment at Laureldale Cemetery.

• Granddaughter Bertha Frederick (1888-1959) was born on Dec. 19, 1888 in Reading. She married Harry Schorn (1893-1914), son of German immigrants Henry and Catharine (Schwenk) Schorn. Their home was at 616 Moss Street, and Harry was employed as a pretzel maker. Tragically, their marriage was short-lived. The 21-year-old Harry was swept away by the Grim Reaper at the age of 21 years, six months, on Aug. 30, 1914, after contracting typhoid fever. Death occurred in St. Joseph Hospital in Reading. The Reading Eagle reported that funeral services were to be held in the home of his father in law, followed by low mass at St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church. Burial followed in Gethsemane Cemetery. Harry's father, living at 934 Hampdey Street, signed the death certificate. As a widow, Bertha lived for another 45 years and apparently did not re-marry. She dwelled in Reading in 1945 and at 1501 Mineral Spring Road in the late 1950s. To support herself, Bertha worked as a seamless knitter at one of the local fabric manufacturing mills in Reading. In about 1956, she suffered a stroke and was admitted to the Hawthorne Home in Reading, where she spent the remainder of her declining years. She died there of a heart attack at the age of 70 on Feb. 15, 1959. Paul Frederick, of 3369 Oley Turnpike Road in St. Lawrence, PA signed her official Pennsylvania certificate of death. Burial was in Charles Evans Cemetery.

Daughter Katie Hilbert (1870- ? ) was born in June 1870 in Lyons, Berks County. She was deceased by 1911, and her fate is shrouded by the misty haze of the past.

~ Son David Frederick ~

Son David Frederick Jr. (1833-1893) was born on April 5, 1833 in Berks County. He was a carpenter, and in 1860 lived with his parents at about the age of 24.

David was joined in marriage in the early 1860s with Amelia Heist (Jan. 27, 1844-1923), daughter of Jacob and Maria (Youse) Heist.

Their one known son was William Frederick.

In 1876, his farm was labeled in his name in a map of the township, published in the Atlas of Berks County.

David passed away two days after his 60th birthday on April 12, 1893. His remains were lowered into the soil of New Jerusalem Church Cemetery. A one-paragraph obituary in the Reading Times said that he was "a well-known citizen of Rockland [and had] died of consumption. He retired from farming a year ago and lived near Fredericksburg. His widow and one son survive." Inscribed on his grave marker was the Bible verse reference Psalm 17:18. The verse reads (King James Version): "Hear the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips."

After his death, daughter-in-law Louisa Frederick sought compensation from the estate for $285 in back wages for work done for him over the previous four years, perhaps in a nursing capacity. Amelia gave testimony, and a referee ruled that there were no grounds to award any payment. The case was reported in the Reading Times.

Amelia lived to the age of 79. She suffered repeated strokes and passed away on June 18, 1923, with interment in New Jerusalem. Amos Breidigam of Mertztown was the informant for the official Pennsylvania certificate of death.

Son William Frederick (1865-1894) was born on March 14, 1865 in Berks County. At the age of 22, in 1887, he was united in holy matrimony with Louisa DeLong (April 24, 1863-1948). Their only known son was Jonathan Frederick, born in 1892. Sadly, at the age of 29, William was ravaged by tuberculosis and swept away by the Grim Reaper on Oct. 25, 1894. The next day, their young son, said by the Allentown Democrat to be "a bright little lad," also died from what was called "summer complaint" -- acute diarrhea. Father and son were placed together in one casket and lowered into eternal repose in Rauch Hertzog Cemetery in Huff's Church, Berks County. Rev. D.K. Humbert, of Bower's Station, preached the double funeral. The Democrat said that the funeral "attracted a very large number of people." Louise somehow managed to recover from the tragic loss of husband and son and lived for another half-century. On March 24, 1899, she married her second spouse, widower David Benjamin K. Moyer (1856-1939), son of Isaac and Maria (Kline) Moyer of Longswamp Township, Berks County. He had been married before to her cousin Talara S. Frederick (1849-1894) and brought six known children to the second union -- Alue Moyer, Carolina Schollenberger, Clara F. Boone, Annie Torinda Moyer, Edwin Moyer and Calvin F. Moyer. The couple did not reproduce. They were members of the Lutheran wing of Huff's Church. Sadly, David passed away on July 15, 1939 at their home at Henningsville near Alburtis, Lehigh County. Rev. James N. Blatt of Old Zionsville officiated at the funeral, held at Huff's Church, with burial in the church cemetery.Widowed for a second time, Louise survived for another nine years. On Sept. 5, 1948, at the age of 85, she succumbed in Allentown. She is buried at Huff's Church.

~ Son Reuben Frederick ~

Son Reuben Frederick (1839- ? ) was born in about 1839 or 1841.

Unmarried at the age of 19, in 1860, he resided with his parents in District Township, Berks County.

His fate is lost to us for now.

~ Son Joseph Frederick ~

New Jerusalem Church, Berks County

Son Joseph M. Frederick (1846-1907) was born on April 22, 1842 or May 16, 1846 in Berks County. (Records differ.)

Joseph was married twice. His first bride was Hannah Rothermel "Annie" Heffner (1848-1881). They were wed on Nov. 16, 1867, when he was age 21 and she 19.

The couple produced these seven known children -- Oscar Frederick, Joseph H. Frederick, Hannah Ellen Moyer, Ida Nora Drey, Emma Veda Miller, Sarah L. Bieber and Charles Heffner Frederick.

They dwelled on a farm in Dryville, Rockland Township. Grief blanketed the family when infant son Oscar died at the age of one on Oct. 4, 1869.

Tragically, in July 1881, the 33-year-old Hannah died an accidental and painful death. Said the Reading Times, she "climbed a tree and while standing on a limb, it broke, precipitating her to the ground, a distance of only about eight feet. In falling she sustained a compound fracture of the right arm at the wrist; she died from the effects of the accident" later that week, on or about July 15, 1881.

Joseph lived for another four decades and made his residence on a farm in Rockland.

He married his second wife, Susanna Heffner (Dec. 16, 1856-1899).

They bore six more children of their own -- Agnes H. Frederick, David H. Frederick, Katie H. Frederick, Cora H. Frederick, Elsie H. Frederick and Annie M. Ott. The Fredericks lived in Richmond Township, Berks County circa 1884 when their daughter Agnes was born.

Joseph became widowed a second time when Susanna passed away at age 42 on Aug. 23, 1899. Burial was in New Jersusalem Cemetery in Fleetwood, Berks County.

He lived alone for another eight years. At the age of 65, he died of a cerebral hemorrhage in Berks County on May 25, 1907. His remains were lowered into rest at the New Jerusalem Cemetery. [Find-a-Grave] Daughter Agnes Frederick, of New Jerusalem, was the informant for the death certificate. Amos F. Breidigam and David H. Frederick served as co-administrators of the estate. Since the youngest three children Cora, Elsie and Annie were legally underage, the Pennsylvania Trust Company was assigned as their guardian. News of the estate was published periodically in the Times.

New Jerusalem Church, Berks County

Son Joseph H. Frederick (1869-1903) was born on April 6, 1869 in Rockland Township, Berks County. He was wedded twice. In June 1888, he married his first bride, Catharine Temillia Brintzenhoff (Nov. 23, 1873-1893), daughter of Frank H. and Sarah Elizabeth (Kutz) Brintzenhoff of Dryville, Berks County. During their brief lives together, the couple were the parents of two children -- a son and Vesta Ida Victoria Schade. They were members of the Dryville Union Sunday School. Sadly, Catharine became ill in the spring of 1891 but seemed to recover by late summer. Then in the spring of 1893, she came down with tuberculosis and went to her parents' home for nursing care. Another recovery was not to be. She died at age 19 years, six months on May 23, 1893. Burial was in Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery in Dryville, with an obituary printed in the Reading Times. Joseph spent the next two years as a widower. In 1895, he was joined in wedlock with his second spouse, Caroline (Frey) Fox (March 10, 1856-1911), daughter of Jacob and Catharine (Herzog) Frey of Longswamp Township. They had a daughter of their own, Katie Henning. At the age of 33, Joseph contracted typhoid fever and tried to recuperate at his home in Fredericksville. Unable to recover, he died in late May or early June 1903. An obituary was published in the Times, which said he was "survived by his wife, father, two brothers, three sisters and several step-sisters." Caroline outlived her husband by eight years with an address of 1635 Moss Street. Suffering from fibroids and cysts in her ovaries, she underwent surgery in St. Joseph's Hospital in Reading. She went into post-operative shock and succumbed on Nov. 12, 1911 at the age of 55. Funeral services were held at her home, led by Rev. W.H. Warmkessel. Said the Times, "The body was attired in a black silk dress and rested in a square oak casket. The body was shipped on a special car to Lyon's Station and further services were held in New Jerusalem." Burial was in New Jerusalem Union Cemetery. Jacob Watson of the home signed the official Pennsylvania certificate of death.

• Granddaughter Vesta Ida Victoria Frederick (1889-1963) was born on March 14, 1889 in Rockland Township, Berks County. She married Irvin S. Schade ( ? -1962), a native of Fleetwood and the son of James and Louise (Schaeffer) Schade. The children born to this union were Irvin Schade, Verna Brown and Edith Hess. They resided in Dryville in Fleetwood Township, Rockland Township, Berks County. Initially, Irvin labored for about three decades as a molder at Kutztown Factory. Later, for 21 years, they owned and operated a restaurant. Vesta was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Dryville, while Irvin belonged to the United Church of Christ congregation of New Jerusalem Church. Irvin succumbed to death on July 11, 1962. Stricken with diabetes and cancer of the liver, which spread to her peritoneum (abdominal organs), she died at home at the age of 74 on July 9, 1963. The remains were lowered into eternal repose in Hope Cemetery in Dryville, Berks County. Verna Brown of Kutztown was the informant for the death certificate, and an obituary appeared in the Allentown Morning Call.

• Granddaughter Katie S. Frederick (1896-1969) was born in 1896. She wedded George Henning ( ? - ? ). In 1963, they dwelled in Reading. She passed away in 1969.

Daughter Hannah "Ellen" Frederick (1872-1948) was born on Oct. 5, 1872 in Rockland Township, Berks County. In 1894, when she was about 21 or 22 years old, she married 24-year-old Wilson R. Moyer (Sept. 1869-1932). News of their wedding was printed in the Reading Times. They bore four known children -- William Oscar Moyer, Eva Vada Griffith and Harvey Reuben Moyer plus one who died young. The federal census enumeration of 1900 shows the family in District Township, Berks County, with Wilson earning a living as a farm laborer. The family made a home at 205 Schuylkill Avenue in 1919 and in 1932 in Drysville. On July 17, 1932, Wilson was visiting his married daughter Eva Griffith and her husband Chester in Staten Island, NY, when he succumbed to death in their home at the age of 62. An obituary in the Times noted that sons William and Harvey were living near Boyertown and that he also was survived by sisters Mrs. Edwin Romig, Mrs. John Reese and Mrs. Jacob Wentzel. In about 1945, Ellen moved to a new home in rural Kutztown, Berks County. She suffered a heart attack and succumbed at the age of 75 on May 18, 1948. Son Harvey of Kutztown signed the death certificate, and burial was in New Jerusalem Cemetery.

• Grandson William Oscar Moyer (1894- ? ) was born in June 1894. He resided in Boyertown in the early 1930s.

• Granddaughter Eva Vada Moyer (1896- ? ) was born in Sept. 1896. Over the Christmas holidays in 1919, she married Chester A. Griffith ( ? - ? ), son of Isaac F. Griffith of 1716 North Third Street in Reading. Chester had served in the U.S. Navy prior to and during World War I. One of three brothers to take up arms during the war, he was pictured in uniform in the Reading Times on Aug. 11, 1917. Then, after deployment, and one of his letters home was published in the Times on Aug. 5, 1918. He trained at a submarine school in New London, CT and was stationed on a submarine chaser. The couple dwelled in Staten Island, NY in 1932.

• Grandson Harvey Reuben Moyer (1897-1982) was born in Oct. 1897 in District Township, Berks County. He was joined in holy wedlock with Eva Sarah Reese ( ? -2000), daughter of John A. and Sarah A. (Moyer) Reese. A dozen offspring were born to this union -- Nevin H. "Romeo" Moyer, John Moyer, David Moyer, George Moyer, Shirley Moll, Pauline Strauss, Betty Rothrock, Sara Unger, Cindy Hillegass, Charles W. Moyer, Raymond P. Moyer and Susan Moyer. The family made a home in 1932 in Boyertown and in 1948 in Kutztown, with Harvey's occupation over the years driving a truck for Longacre's Dairies. They worshipped at the New Jerusalem Lutheran Church of Leithsville. Their retirement years were spent at 1690 Riegel Street in Hellertown. Sadly, Harvey died at age 84 on Feb. 19, 1982. His Allentown Morning Call obituary said he was survived by 30 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. As a widow, Eva lived for another 18 years in their home. The Grim Reaper of Death swept her away at the age of 85 on Sept. 20, 2000. Her obituary also was printed in the Morning Call. By the time of her passing, the number of survivors had expanded to 32 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Great-grandson Nevin H. "Romeo" Moyer (1937-2011) was born on Sept. 17, 1937 in Longswamp Township, Berks County. He married Helen M. Danner ( ? -2007). They produced four sons -- Curtis L. Moyer, William C. Moyer, Robert C. Moyer and Leon E. Moyer. The family lived in Mertztown in 1982 and later in Maxatawny Township. Following his father's occupation in trucking, Nevin drove for Jesse Kroninger Trucking in Dryville from 1961 to 1977. He then joined the Wire Division of East Penn Manufacturing Company, in Lyon Station, where he worked for 22 years until retirement, from 1977 to 1999. In his free time, Nevin belonged to the rod and gun clubs of Kutztown, Mertztown and Strasstown and the Fogelsville Fire Company. Sadly, Helen passed into eternity on Dec. 7, 2007. Nevin outlived her by four years. As his health declined, he was admitted in March 2011 to Lehigh Valley Hospital. He died there just nine days later, at age 73, on April 8, 2011. His obituary was published in the Allentown Morning Call.

Great-grandson John C. Moyer established a home in East Greenville, Montgomery County and was there for decades. He was deceased by 2011.

Great-grandson David C. Moyer married Katherine Kline. They initially put down roots in Palm, PA, and then in 2000-2011 were in Alburtis, Lehigh County.

Great-grandson George J. Moyer was united in matrimonial bonds with Beth. They resided in Douglassville, PA circa 1982 and Alburtis circa 2011.

Great-granddaughter Shirley Moyer wedded (?) Moll. She dwelled in 1982 in Allentown. Later, by 2000, she married Paul Edleman and relocated to Macungie, Lehigh County.

Great-granddaughter Pauline Moyer was united in matrimony with Donald Strauss. They maintained a residence in Hellertown.

Great-granddaughter Betty J. Moyer married (?) Rothrock. Circa 1982, she lived in Bingen, PA. By 2000, she had moved to Allentown and then in 2011 was in Wescosville.

Great-granddaughter Sarah M. Moyer was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Samuel Unger. They lived in Slatington, PA circa 1982-2000 and in Orefield, PA in 2011..

Great-granddaughter Cindy Moyer wedded Garry Hillegass. They resided with Cindy's parents in 1982 and in Hellertown in 2011.

Great-grandson Charles W. Moyer ( ? - ? ) was deceased by 2000.

Great-grandson Raymond P. Moyer ( ? - ? ) was deceased by 2000.

Great-granddaughter Susan Moyer made a home with her parents in 1982 and then with her sister Pauline Strauss in Hellertown in 2000. She was deceased by 2011.

Daughter Ida Nora Frederick (1874-1959) was born on Oct. 13, 1874 in Rockland Township, Berks County. When she was 29 years of age, in about 1902, she wedded 23-year-old William W. Drey (March 30, 1881-1961), also spelled "Dry," a native of Fleetwood, Berks County and the son of Nicholas and Catharine Sevilla (Weidner) Drey. The couple were farmers and made a home in Fleetwood (circa 1926), Rockland Township (1930), Mertztown and again in Fleetwood (1957). They produced these known children -- Edna Mae Noll, Charles Frederick Drey, Elsie Margaret Boyer, Carrie Ann Breidigam, Lester F. Drey and Dorothy Georgine Keller. While driving in their automobile in early October 1928, Ida and William and their daughter Dorothy were nearly killed "when their machine upset," said the Reading Times. "Mr. Drey sustained internal injuries, while the others are suffering from shock." Grief swept over the family on March 6, 1942 when their married son Lester, employed as a guard, died in a coma at the age of 28, having been stricken with chronic kidney and hypertension. William died at the age of 79 on March 21, 1961. The Grim Reaper cut her away at the age of 84 on March 7, 1959. They are interred in Christ Mertz Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery in Dryville, Berks County.

• Granddaughter Edna Mae Drey (1903-1987) was born in 1903. In 1923, she was united in holy matrimony with Walter Hafer Noll (1899-1974), son of W. Henry and Mary E. (Hafer) Noll of Ruscombmanor Township, Berks County. The couple bore one known son, Ronald W. Noll. Walter spent his professional career in banking and retired as vice president of Fleetwood National Bank. He also owned an automobile dealership, which he ran from his home, and held a position with the Berks County Board of Viewers. The family belonged to St. Paul's Church of Christ in Fleetwood. Their address was South Willow Street, Fleetwood. Sadly, Walter died at home at the age of 74 on June 30, 1974. An obituary was printed in the Allentown Morning Call. Funeral services were held in the family church.

• Grandson Charles Frederick Drey (1905-1968) was born in 1905.

• Granddaughter Elsie Margaret Drey (1908-1997) was born in 1908. She married William Boyer ( ? - ? ). The couple resided in Fleetwood in 1978.

• Granddaughter Carrie Ann Drey (1910-2000) was born on Feb. 12, 1910. In 1928, at the age of 18, she wedded Charles Lester Breidigam (1906-1982). Their home circa 1978 was in Fleetwood, Berks County.

• Grandson Lester F. Drey (1914-1942) was born on Dec. 4, 1914. He was united in the bonds of holy matrimony with Marie "Katie" Schnable (Oct. 12, 1913-1937), a native of Longswamp Township and the daughter of Aaron and Rebecca (Miller) Schnable. They set up housekeeping in Mertztown in Rockland Township, Berks County, and bore one son, Dennis Lester Drey. Her pregnancy was difficult, and her son was birthed via caesarean section surgery. Heartbreak and grief swept over the family when Katie was pregnant at full term with a daughter in mid-February 1937. She contracted influenza followed by the rupture of her uterus. She went into shock due to loss of blood and was admitted to Sr. Joseph Hospital in Reading, where she underwent a hysterectomy. Her system was beyond any hope of healing. She succumbed to death at the age of 23 years, four months and seven days on the day of her surgery, Feb. 19, 1937. The baby also was lost. Funeral services were held in the home of Lester's parents and then in Christ Church in Dryville, followed by burial of their remains in the adjoining cemetery. A death notice was printed in the Allentown Morning Call. Lester only outlived his wife by five years. He was employed for the last six months of his working life as a guard in the Berks County Prison, but leaving the position in December 1941 as his health collapsed. Burdened with chronic kidney disease and hypertension, he slipped into a coma and never came out. Death took him away at the age of 28 on March 6, 1942. His remains were lowered under the sod in Dryville.

Great-grandson Dennis Lester Drey (1934-1993) was born in 1934.

• Granddaughter Dorothy Georgine Drey (1919-1978) was born in 1919 in Rockland Township. She was joined in wedlock with Caroll Keller ( ? - ? ). Their four children were K. Allen Keller, Ricky L. Keller, Judith A. O'Neil and Elaine F. Becker. The Kellers lived in Fleetwood and were members of Christ Lutheran Church of Dryville. Dorothy helped generate income for the family through her work as a teacher's aide at Rockland Elementary School, employed by the Brandywine School District. Dorothy died at home at the age of 58 on Jan. 9, 1978. Her obituary was printed in the Allentown Morning Call.

Great-grandson K. Allen Keller lived in Cleona, Lebanon County, PA.

Great-grandson Ricky L. Keller relocated to State College, Centre County, PA.

Great-granddaughter Judith A. Keller married Larry O'Neil and established a home in Birdsboro, Berks County.

Great-granddaughter Elaine F. Keller wedded Dennis Becker. They dwelled in Fleetwood in 1978.

Daughter Emma Veda Frederick (1876-1970) was born in about 1876 in Rockland Township, Berks County. Two sources give her maiden name as "Kelchner." She would have been five years of age at the death of her mother. She was wedded to Sylvester H. Miller (Oct. 6, 1885-1940), son of Alvin H.S. and Catherine (Eck) Miller. The couple did not reproduce. Sylvester worked as a molder for a dozen years in the employ of Topton Foundry Company. He belonged to the Moulders Union and the Kutztown lodge of the Moose. Sylvester died at the age of 54 on Feb. 5, 1940. Interment was in St. Paul's Union Cemetery in Mertztown, with Rev. W.S. Dry officiating, and an obituary printed in the Allentown Morning Call. Emma lived for another three decades as a widow. She passed into eternity on Jan. 19, 1970. Her story needs to be confirmed, but it is known that her brother Rev. David H. Frederick claimed her as a half-sister.

Daughter Sarah Elizabeth "Lizzie" Frederick (1878-1956) was born on Sept. 5, 1878 in Rockland Township, Berks County. In about 1904, the 26-year-old married Dewalt K. Bieber (July 18, 1878-1956), son of Abraham and Mary (Keller) Bieber of Oley Township. His name also has been spelled "Dewaldt." They were longtime farmers. Their home in the 1950s was at 3312 Rosedale Avenue in Laureldale, Berks County. Sarah was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in about 1950-1951. She suffered heart failure and contracted bladder cancer and died at the age of 78 on Oct. 17, 1956 in Laureldale, Berks County. She rests in Friedens Church Cemetery in Oley, Berks County. After her death, Dewalt became malnourished and was admitted to Berks County Hospital, where he died less than a month after her on Nov. 15, 1956. Anna Merkel of Lyons, PA was the informant for the official Pennsylvania certificate of death. Burial was in Friedens Cemetery in Oley

Son Charles Heffner Frederick (1881-1963) was born on April 3, 1881 in Lyons, Rockland Township, Berks County. He appears to have been married thrice. His first wife was Clara Alice Heist (1876-1946), daughter of Israel and Sallie (Kramer) Heist of New Jerusalem. News of their marriage license was printed in the Reading Times. They bore three offspring -- Paul Frederick, Martha S. Merkle and Mabel Sallie Gregro. On Sept. 6, 1903, the couple separated, with Charles moving out. Clara later claimed that he had "left for parts unknown and since that time ... has not [been] heard from..." Charles relocated to Willard, Huron County, OH, where in about 1906 he secured work for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. In 1909, he married his second bride, Mary Ann Houck (July 2, 1876-1946), a native of Milan, OH and the daughter of Andrew and Clara (Kisler) Houck. Two sons were born to this union -- Walter E. Frederick and Charles D. Frederick. Back in Reading, former wife Clara sued for divorce in Berks County Court, with a recommendation made by a divorce master in March 1914 that the divorce be granted. Charles joined the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and retired as an engineer in 1951, having been employed by the B&O for 45 years. Heartbreak blanketed the Fredericks when Mary Ann died on March 22, 1946, at the age of 69, as a patient in Willard Municipal Hospital. Her remains were lowered into eternal rest in Maple Grove Cemetery in New Haven, Huron County. Charles later married a second time to Marguerite Linder (1902-1984). The family address in the early 1960s was 414 Park Street. Charles was a member of the local lodge of the Eagles, and the family belonged to the Trinity Lutheran Church. Charles died in their home at the age of 82 on June 29, 1963. An obituary said that he was a "native of Pennsylvania [who] had lived here for 57 years" and that his survivors numbered 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. The remains were interred in Maple Grove Cemetery in New Haven, Huron County. Charles' ex Clara took back her maiden name. For three decades, she lived in Kutztown at 148 East Main Street. She did not remarry, and was a member of the Christ Lutheran Church congregation at Dryville. At her death on Oct. 6, 1946, she was survived by six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Rev. Carlton Heckman preached her funeral sermon, with burial in the Dryville Christ Church cemetery.

• Grandson Paul Joseph Frederick (1900-1974) was born on Oct. 28, 1900 in Rockland Township, Berks County, a twin with his sister Martha. He was but three years of age when his parents separated. Paul in 1924 was united in wedlock with Marie Moser (1907-1994). The couple produced two daughters -- Dorothy J. Hinchman and Betty E. Trout. They dwelled for years in Kutztown, Berks County, PA, with an address of 152 Normal Avenue. Paul earned a living over the years through his work for Car-Tech Corporation in Reading. He retired in 1964. At the age of 73, Paul died in Kutztown on Jan. 23, 1974. Interment of the remains was in Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery in Dryville. An obituary was printed in the Allentown Morning Call, which named all of his full and half-siblings and stepmother.

Great-granddaughter Dorothy J. Frederick married Herbert Hinchman. They put down roots in Secane, Delaware County, PA.

Great-granddaughter Betty E. Frederick wedded Lee W. Trout. Their home in 1974 was in Kutztown.

• Granddaughter Martha S. Frederick (1900-1983) was born on Oct. 28, 1900 in Rockland Township, Berks County, a twin with her brother Paul. She was only three years old when her parents' marriage dissolved. Martha wedded Leon George Merkle (1894-1976). The two daughters born to the couple were Dorothy H. Fenstermacher and Ruth M. Steely. Their home in the early 1960s was in Kutztown, Berks County. Martha passed into eternity at the age of 82 on Feb. 26, 1983.

Great-granddaughter Dorothy H. Merkel (1919-1995) was born in 1919. She married (?) Fenstermacher ( ? - ? ).

Great-granddaughter Ruth M. Merkel (1925-1998) was born in 1925. She wedded (?) Steely.

• Granddaughter Mabel Sallie Frederick (1902-1996) was born on April 19, 1902. Her parents separated when she was a baby. Circa 1924, Mabel married Frank Gregro (1901-1966). They bore two children, Virginia Leona Hassler and Charles F. Grego. Their residence was in Kutztown in 1946 -- Reading, Berks County in 1963 -- and Wyomissing, PA in 1974. Mabel died at the age of 94 on Oct. 2, 1996. Interment was in Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery in Dryville, Berks County.

Great-granddaughter Virginia Leona Grego (1925-1995) was born in 1995. She was joined in marriage with (?) Hassler.

Great-grandson Charles F. Grego (1932-2005) was born in 1932.

• Grandson Walter Eugene Frederick Sr. (1909-1981) was born on Aug. 29, 1909 in Willard, Huron County, OH. In 1929, at the age of 20, he received a degree from Tiffin Business University. On May 29, 1935, when he was 26 years of age, he was united in matrimony with Marion G. Schlotterer (1915-2001), a native of Avilla, IN and the daughter of Karl and Lucille (Samuelson) Schlotterer. The Fredericks resided in Willard and were the parents of six -- Walter Eugene Frederick Jr., Joseph Frederick, Michael Frederick, Robert Frederick, Mary Lu Eldred and Ann Herner. Over time, Walter was employed by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Akron and Pioneer Rubber Company. His final position was as vice president and treasurer of Pioneer, with retirement in 1974. The family belonged to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Exceptionally active in the community, Walter was a leader with the Boy Scouts of America for two decades, received its St. George Award in 1965, and was a member of the Girl Scout Finance Committee for 10 years. In 1955, he was named in Who's Who in Commerce and Industry and for years belonged to the National Association of Credit Men. He was affiliated with the local Eagles lodge for 45 years and the Willard Jaycees and was bestowed with the Jaycees' Distinguished Serviceman's Award as "Man of the Year." He chaired the the finance committee of the Willard Area Hospital board of directors and served terms as president of the National Council of Catholic Men, Toledo Diocese and Sandusky Deanery. He also held many roles with the St. Francis Home Auxiliary, Tiffin; Sacred Heart M.S.C. Center, Shelby; the Rosecrans Council of the Knights of Columbus; and the Holy Name Society; among others. Sadly, Walter died on March 22, 1981 at the age of 71. A funeral mass was officiated in the family church by Fr. Richard Markus, Fr. Nicholas Rolling and Msgr. Lawrence Ernst. His remains were placed into immortal sleep in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Willard, with an obituary appearing in the Willard Times-Junction.
  
  Marion earned income of her own as a secretary for Beviers, Schriner's Law Office, Staphs Drug Store, Willard Credit Union, Sharicks Jewelry Western Auto Toy Department and Ben Franklin. As a widow, she lived for another more than a quarter of a century. She, too, was exceptionally active with social, health care and Catholic causes. Among these were leadership in the Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts for more than a decade. She lent her time to the St. Francis Xavier Altar Rosary Society, Migrant Program, Parish Council, Liturgy Committee, sacristy, RCIA, usher, lector and eucharistic ministries. Desiring to advance in these fields, she was a graduate of the Toledo Diocese Lay Ministry Program, which involved visits and ministring to the sick and infirm in their homes, the local hospital and area nursing homes. In recognition of her commitment to the Christian mission, she received the Diocese of Toledo's Roger J. Seibert Shared Responsibility Award. As well, she volunteered for 28 years at Willard Hospital, logging more than 11,860 hours of her time. She was generous with her time and talents on behalf of the Boy and Girl Scouts, the election board, Catholic Ladies of Columbia and Red Cross Bloodmobiles. The Willard lodge of the Eagles selected her in 1960 as Mother of the Year. She belonged to the Sacred Heart M.S.C. Seminary Auxiliary in Shelby; the St. Francis Home Auxiliary as board director and president in Tiffin; and Propagation of the Faith. In 1966, she received a service award from the Ohio Special Olympics. She also operated the Frederick-Elchert Religious Gift Shop. Her final years were spent in Green Springs, Seneca County, OH. She died there at age 86 on July 17, 2001. She was survived by 18 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Great-grandson Walter Eugene Frederick Jr. ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). On Oct. 5, 1963, he married Judith Kovach (Dec. 31, 1943-2019), daughter of Andrew G. and Mary (Miles) Kovach and stepdaughter of Winford Higgs of Mansfield, Richland County, OH. The Fredericks were parents of six -- Walter Eugene "Trace" Frederick III, Jacqueline Suarez, Denise Willett, Peter Frederick, Rebecca Munday and Angela Frederick. They moved frequently, from Mansfield to Lima, OH; Wexford (1974) and Malvern, PA; West Chester, OH; and Cary, NC (circa 1981) before moving to their final home in 1989 in Middlesex, NC. After raising their brood of offspring, Judith became employed by IBM and the John Morrell Companies, and then was named president of The Shutterworks Inc. in 1993, staying in this position and managing its finances until retirement in 2014. The Mansfield (OH) News-Journal once said that Judith "was an inspiration of love, patience, humor, strength and loyalty to all who knew her. She enjoyed bowling, photography, fishing, Bingo, reading, breakfast club with friends and especially traveling in the motor home throughout the United States." Sadly, Judith died in Middlesex on Dec. 11, 2019. An obituary and her photograph were printed in the News-Journal. Interment of the remains was in Middlesex. Note to the family -- the founder of this website and his brothers remember Trace as their neighbor and wiffle ball player in boyhood in Wexford.

Great-grandson Dr. Joseph Frederick wedded Kathy Long. They lived in New Rochester, OH and in 2001 in Pemberville, OH.

Great-grandson Michael Frederick was united in the bonds of marriage with Marge Biesiada. They have made a home in Parma, OH.

Great-grandson Robert Frederick was joined in marital union with Barbara Rhodes. The couple dwelled in Belmont, MA in 1981 and Brookfield, CT in 2001.

Great-granddaughter Mary Lucille Frederick (1937-2007) was born in 1937. She was joined in marriage with Frederick Eldred. They established a residence in Willard, OH.

Great-granddaughter Ann Frederick was united in holy wedlock with Thomas Herner. Circa 1981, they were in Norwalk, OH.

• Grandson Charles David Frederick (1911-1989) was born on Oct. 31, 1911 in Ohio. He married Mary Louise Lukinac (1905-1977. She was six years older than her spouse. The family lived for decades in Willard, Huron County, OH and bore one known daughter, Patricia A. Frederick. Sadly, Mary Louise succumbed to death in 1977. Charles survived her by a dozen years. at the age of 78, Charles passed into eternity on Nov. 14, 1989 in Willard. They are in eternal repose in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Great-granddaughter Patricia A. Frederick (1932-1996) was born on July 23, 1932 in Willard. She may not have married. On March 15, 1996, she died in Willard. She sleeps at the side of her parents in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Willard.

Daughter Agnes H. Frederick (1884-1959) was born on Jan. 16, 1884 in Richmond Township, Berks County. She never married. Agnes supported herself over the years as a dressmaker. She also taught other young women the art of her craft, including Ellen H. Ruppert circa 1912. After the untimely death of Agnes' sister Annie Ott in 1918, Agnes received a payment from the estate in the sum of $91.01. The federal census enumeration of 1930 shows her sharing a residence with her single sister Cora and married sisters and brothers in law Elsie and Samuel Krause and Katie and Charles Irvin Fenstermacher. She had no occupation in 1930. In about 1933, she relocated from Reading to Wyomissing, Berks County, where she and her unmarried sister Cora lived at 1268 Penn Avenue and spent the remaining years of her life. Circa 1935-1940, federal census records show that Agnes' married sister Eleanor Fenstermacher and Elsie Krause and their husbands and families also lived in the household. Agnes was diagnosed with cancer of her left chest in about 1956. She endured the illness for two years until death cut her away on Oct. 3, 1958, at the age of 74. Her remains were placed into eternal repose in New Jerusalem Cemetery.

Son Rev. David H. Frederick (1885-1957) was born on Sept. 30, 1885 in New Jerusalem in Rockland Township, Berks County. He was joined in marriage with Sarah G. Rhoads ( ? - ? ), daughter of Charles H. Rhoads. The couple bore one son, David H. Frederick. David pursued a career in Christian ministry and was ordained in Reading's Trinity Church on June 15, 1915. His first pastorate was at the Audenried-Beaver Meadows Parish of the Wilkes-Barre Conference of the Lutheran Church. Simultaneously, he also served as a supply pastor for St. Peter's Church in Sheppton, Schuylkill County. From there, Feb. 1, 1926, he was named to pastor the St. Stephen's Lutheran Church of Bethlehem, Northampton County, and he remained for good, spanning the years from 1926 to 1957. In 1926, he and Sara were plunged into mourning when her father, a well-known insurance broker in Reading, tried to dodge a trolley and was struck by a taxicab and died after seven weeks of suffering. David was active in the Wilkes Barre and Allentown Conferences of the Evangelical Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania and in April 1937, at the organization's meeting at St. Jacob's Church in Jacksonville, Lehigh County, was re-elected secretary-treasurer, a role he held from 1932 to 1950. He also was statistician of the Wilkes-Barre Conference and treasurer of the Allentown Conference History Book Committee in 1927-1932. In the mid-1950s, they made a home at 1547 Center Street in Bethlehem. Stricken with cancer, he retired and then passed into eternity on Nov. 3, 1957. The story was headline news in the Allentown Morning Call, Hazleton Standard-Speaker, Pottsville Republican and Wilkes-Barre Times Leader. His remains were lowered into rest in Charles Evans Cemetery, following funeral services in his longtime church, co-officiated by Rev. Dr. Charles Cooper (Ministerium president) and Rev. Earl R. Kreidler. Six years after David's death, his photograph portrait was placed into the cornerstone of the new St. Stephen's church edifice.

• Grandson David H. Frederick Jr. ( ? - ? ) made his home in Baltimore, MD in 1957.

Daughter Katie H. Frederick (1887-1973) was born on Sept. 28, 1887. At the passing of her sister Annie Ott in 1918, Katie received a payment from the estate in the amount of $91.02. She was united in matrimony with Charles Irvin Fenstermacher (Oct. 4, 1887-1981), son of John K. and Catherine (Bieber) Fenstermacher of Rockland Township. They were the parents of Eleanor Jane Fenstermacher, Wayne C. Fenstermacher and Mary L. Fuhrmann. In 1930-1940, the Fenstermachers shared a home with Katie's sisters Agnes, Cora and Elsie in Wyomissing, Berks County. Charles supported the family in 1930 as a carpenter/contractor and in 1940 as a "common carrier" for a hauling business in Wyomissing. Their later years were spent in Bayside and Little Neck, Queens County, NY. Sadly, at the age of 85, Katie succumbed on April 4, 1973. Her remains were transported to her home community to rest in the New Jerusalem Cemetery. Charles survived his wife by eight years. He returned to Reading and succumbed there at the age of 93 on June 17, 1981.

• Granddaughter Eleanor Jane Fenstermacher (1922- ? ) was born in about 1922.

• Grandson Wayne C. Fenstermacher (1924- ? ) was born in about 1924.

• Granddaughter Mary L. Fenstermacher (1929- ? ) was born in about 1929. She wedded (?) Fuhrmann

Daughter Cora H. Frederick (1889-1967) was born on Sept. 29, 1889. Evidence suggests that she was single for the duration of her entire life. She was age 29 at the time her married sister Annie Ott died in 1918, and received a bequest from the estate in the amount of $91.01. Federal census enumeration records show her in 1930 as working as a "seamer" in the Berkshire Mill and lived in Wyomissing, Berks County, with her unmarried sister Agnes and two other married sisters and their spouses lived at 1268 Penn Avenue. Cora earned a living in 1940 as a "seamer" for a hosiery mill in Wyomissing. In 1963, her residence was in New York City. She died on May 20, 1967. Her remains are in eternal repose in New Jerusalem Cemetery in Fleetwood, Berks County.

Daughter Elsie H. Frederick (1891-1975) was born in 1891. She received a bequest of $91.01 from the estate of her late sister Annie Ott circa 1919. In about 1924, at the age of 33, she was joined in holy wedlock with 38-year-old Samuel F. Krause (Nov. 25, 1886-1954), a native of Zieglerville, Montgomery County, PA, and the son of Noah W. and Sarah S. (Faust) Krause. News of their marriage license was published in the Reading Times. At the time, he was a resident of Perkiomenville, PA. During World War I, he had served as a wagoner with the U.S. Army's 33rd M.G. Battalion. The couple bore two known children -- Walter Elwood Krause and Patricia Ann Krause. During the years 1935-1940, the Krauses shared a home with Elsie's sisters Agnes, Cora and Katie in Wyomissing, Berks County. Samuel worked as a handyman for the Borough of Wyomissing circa 1940. They were members of St. Luke's Lutheran Church. Samuel was gathered in by the Grim Reaper at the age of 67, in Wyomissing, on Nov. 12, 1954. Elsie lived for another 21 years, including in Wyomissing in 1957 and Reading in 1963. She passed away in 1975, at the age of about 83 or 84. Her remains rest in New Jerusalem Cemetery.

• Grandson Walter Elwood Krause lived in or around Lincoln Park, Berks County. He died at the age of 79 on St. Patrick's Day 2005. Interment was in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Lebanon County.

Ott graves, New Jerusalem Church, Berks County

Daughter Annie M. Frederick (1894-1918) was born on May 20, 1894. At the age of 22, in 1916, she married Sylvanus H. Ott (Feb. 6, 1894-1918), son of Harvey and Elizabeth (Heckman) Ott. The couple did not reproduce. Sylvania was employed as a clerk with the Metropolitan Electric Company and was a member of the Knights of Malta. He and Annie belonged to the Hope Lutheran Church. Their address in 1918 was 205 Schuylkill Avenue in Reading. Sadly, at the age of about 24, she contracted typhoid fever and succumbed on Oct. 9, 1918. He only lived for another five days and, stricken at home with bronchial pneumonia, joined her in eternity on Oct. 14, 1918. In an obituary, the Reading Times said he was survived by his parents, brothers Titus Ott and Elmer Ott and sisters Elizabeth Ott, Eva Ott and Martha Cruthammer. They rest together in New Jerusalem Church Cemetery. David H. Frederick was named administrator of the estate, and in 1919 distributed cash to Annie's heirs and siblings Agnes H. Frederick, Katie H. Frederick, Cora H. Frederick and Elsie H. Frederick.